Resources 2

Scientific Research: Publications

March 2026

Beyond LFTs, liver stiffness, and portal pressure: portal-systemic shunting as a new endpoint for clinical trials of cirrhosis and portal hypertension

Andrew P. Keaveny, Kamran Qureshi, Stuart C. Gordon, Joanne C. Imperial, Michael P. McRae, Touraj Shokati, Gregory T. Everson | Gastro Hep Advances | In Press

This commentary proposes the oral cholate challenge test (OCCT), specifically its Disease Severity Index (DSI) and measurement of portal-systemic shunting (SHUNT%), as a practical, clinically meaningful, and noninvasive complement or alternative to traditional tools like liver stiffness measurement and HVPG for assessing portal hypertension risk, esophageal varices, and prognosis in MASH-related cirrhosis. Since the OCCT directly reflects liver function and portal-systemic shunting, it could improve patient stratification and serve as a stronger endpoint for clinical management and drug development in this population. read more →

February 2026

Simultaneous quantification of native human and transgenic porcine liver function in a decedent model of extracorporeal cross-circulation

Abraham Shaked, Michael P. McRae, Joanne C. Imperial, Leanne Lanieri, Alexander Sagar, Kim M. Olthoff, Susan Low, Kirsten G. Swenson, Peter Friend, Gregory T. Everson | American Journal of Transplantation | In Press

Porcine livers have the potential to support liver function via extracorporeal liver cross-circulation (ELC) until recovery or transplantation. To assess the functional integrity of both native human and porcine livers during ELC, we used the clearance of intravenously administered 13C-cholate to probe effective hepatic perfusion in 4 decedents maintained on ELC for 72 to 102 hours. Genetically modified porcine livers (EGEN-5784) were perfused using the OrganOx metra-ELC device. Hepatic filtration rate was calculated for the native human liver and the EGEN-5784 liver in ELC. During ELC, total hepatic filtration rate increased substantially compared with pre-ELC values, exceeded the upper limit of the normal range, and remained stable throughout the ELC period. Simultaneous measurement of cholate clearance in human and porcine livers during ELC provides real-time assessment of each organ’s functional contribution and may inform decisions regarding optimal ELC duration, timing of disconnection, and necessity of liver transplantation. read more →

February 2026

Extracorporeal liver cross-circulation using transgenic xenogeneic pig livers with brain-dead human decedents

Abraham Shaked, Alex Sagar, Kim M. Olthoff, Peter L. Abt, Emily A. Vail, Niels D. Martin, Charles S. Abrams, Rick D. Hasz, Christine Radolovic, Shannon Kaminski, Bao-Li Loza, James F. Markmann, Susan C. Low, Mike Curtis, Leanne Lanieri, Kirsten G. Swenson, Gregory T. Everson, David A. Wagner, Mohamed A. Elzawahry, John I. Fallon, Syed Hussain Abbas, Danielle Fortuna, Emma E. Furth, K. Rajender Reddy, Peter P. Reese & Peter Friend | Nature Medicine

Extracorporeal liver cross-circulation (ELC) using genetically modified pig livers may address an unmet need for temporary liver support in patients with acute or acute-on-chronic liver failure. read more →